Spacing instrument



March 24, 1931.

W. W. HEINZE sPAcING INSTRUMENT Filed April 11, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 24,l 1931. w, w HE|NZE 1,797,551

SPACING INSTRUMENT Filed April ll, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 YgQ/f 91 54 ya (90 ya I 3l 059 15gg/7V gf w 7 WA Y -M I l ll W f. V Y v Patented Mar. 24, 1931 i WALTER W. HEINZE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS SPACING INSTRUMENT Application led April 11,

The invention relates to spacing instruments and more particularly it relates to a device adapted for marking the locations of the centers ot a plurality oic rivet holes to be punched or otherwise formed in any material wherein it is desirable that holes be arranged in a series ot straight lines. rlhe invention has one of its most important adaptations in the fabrication of structural steelv wherein various structural sections are fastened together by a plurality of rivets or boltsrarranged in longitudinal lines commonly known as rivet lines'and the spacing of such rows is known as the gauge. lnfabrication of'I or H beams and ot coverplates, provided for reentorcing the ilanges et such beams and the built up flanges otplate girders, the general practice is to provide the rivet holes in two or tour'vor' other even'L number of parallel rows, symmetrically positioned on either side of the longitudinal centerline of the beam or girder. The holes are located by providing templates constructed ot card board, white pine or the like, the templates being clamped to the tace ot the beam or the plate in which the holes are to be punched. The template is prepared by boring or punching holes therein having the same relative positions as the beam or plate to be punched. After clamping the template in position on the beam or plate, a punch point is used'to dent or prick the surface of the beam, the holes in the template serving as guides for the accurate location of such marks. The template is then removed and the marked beam is ready tor the punch press wherein the beam has holes punch-ed through it in alignment with the marks lo-A cated by the use ot the template. The template method ot locating holes requires a great deal of time and template material which is expensive and one ot the objects of my' invention is the provision of an instru-` ment, by means of which the use of template plates can-be dispensed with. f-

As is well known to those familiar with structural steel construction there is in most cases some over run o r excess in width ot the lianges ot beams and of thelegs ot angles and the like except :tor the sections ot minimum 1929. serial No. 354,237'.V

thickness. rllhis over run is Vnot always uniform throughout the length ot a member and the edges have some slight irregularities, making it a diiiicult and a time consuming process to mark the rivet lines symmetrically about the longitudinal center line ot the web of the Ibeam or of the H sections by the usual methodV ot using woodenor paper templates and another object ot the invention is to provide an improved device operable to accurately and quickly locate-'al plurality of lines of holes in parallel relation at any predetermined spacing, wit-hout the use ot templates.

Another object of the invention is to providek a device ot the class described which is operable to quickly and precisely locate a plurality of parallel lines ot holes in the anges of I or Hpbeams or similar members in symmetrical or other predetermined relation to the center' line of the webs ot such beams or members. I

A further object of the invention is the production of a device ot the kind described y which can be easily adjusted "to change the gauge or spacing of theparallel linesfot holes. v

A further object of ther invention is the production ot a device ot thekind described, which is simple in construction, of a small number lof parts, easy to manufacture, durable, reliable and highly satisfactory for itsl intended purpose.

Many other objects and advantages ot the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the `art from the disclosure herein` given.

To' this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combi'- nation herein shown and'described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings wherein like numerals indicate like orl corresponding partsz" Fig. l is a top plan view ot' one embodiment of the invention as it appears when completely assembled;

Fig@ is a sectional view along the line 2 2- of Figi;

YFig. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3 3 ot Fig. l;

nio

Fig. 10 is a section along the line 1O 1OY of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a section along the line 11-11 Fig. 12 is a section along the-line 12 12 of'Fig. 9.

The device is shown as mounted on the top flange of an I beam 15 with a base plate 16 resting on the beam. The 'device is equally as well adapted for use in marking plates and other sections in which holes are Vto be punched.

Referring nowV more particularly to the drawings, the numerals 13 and 14 generally designate a pair` of members hereinafter called punch guides. The punch guides 13 and 14 are shown in perspective inFigs. 6 and 7, respectively, and are shown in their assembled position in Figs. 1, 4, and 5. The punch guides 13 and 14 are slid'ably mounted in the ixed portion of the device. rlhe iiXed portion of the device includes a. base plate 16 and a cap plate 18 separated by spacing blocks 19 and 20 fastened together by countersunk' screw bolts'21 so as to be relatively immovable and to form a frame in which the other membersof the device are transversely movable; inasmuch as the frame is made up of plates 16 and 18 and of 4blocks 19 and 20, all of which are symmetrical relative to the line 4 4 of Fig. 1,`the axis of the frame coinciding with the line 4 4 will hereinafter be described and referred to as the longi.

tudinal axis of the frame. y

The spacing blocks 19 and 20 have a plurality of semi-circular-tongues 22 and 23, respectively, formed thereon. A transversely movable U-shaped guide member 17 is mounted in the device. The head of the member 17 is in substantial alignment with the left edge of the flange of the I bea-m 15 and its arms 17a and 17?) extend to the right as observed in FiOs. 1 to 3. A longitudinal bar 24 is fastened to the underside of the guide member 17 by means of a plurality of countersunk screw bolts 25, the inner edge of the bar thereby forming a straight edge keeping the device in alignment with the l beam .15, a plate or other member being marked as a preliminary to punchingor drilling holes therein. -Bar 24 is parallel to the center line of the device and exactly perpendicular to the transversely movable members. The base plate 16 is relatively narrow as compared with the width of the device and to prevent any tendency of the device to tilt about the plate a stem 26 is provided on the under surface of the guide member 17. A control member .31, shown in perspective in Fig. 8, is slidably mounted between the arm 1?@ and the punch guide 14. The outer end of the member 31 has a downwardly projecting stem 27, the lower end of which contacts with the upper face of the flange of the movement by a plurality of tongues andgrooves hereinafter more particularly described and designated. The .plate 18 has a plurality of tongues 30 one of which is slidable in a corresponding slot 35 in the upper face of the punch guide 13. The remaining tongues 30 similarly engage slots 36 in the upper face of the punch guide 14. The control member 31 is provided with a plurality of tongues 32 the -upper ones of which engage slots 36 in the under face of the punch guide 14, and the other of which engage slots correspondingly formed in the upper face of the arm 17a. The arms 170i and 17?) have a plurality of rectangular shaped tongues 33 on their lower face which suitably Vengage corresponding grooves of slots in the upper face of the base plate 16. Thelower face of-the punch guide 1 3 is provided with a pair of tongues 34 which suitably engage corresponding grooves in the upper face of the arm 17 Z). The punch guide 14 has a semi-circular slot 37 extending the full length of its outer vertical face and which operatively engages one of a ypair of tongues 22 formed on thespacing block 19. The other of the tongues 22 on the spacing block 19 engages a corresponding slot in thev outer edge of the arm 17 a. A semi-circular groove 40 on the guide -member- 13 suitably engages one of a pair of corresponding tongues 23 formed on thespacing block 20. The other of the tongues 23fon the spacing block 2O engages a grooveI in the outside edge of the arm lbf The punch guide-13 has aV laterally projecting stem 41 on the outer end of which is mounted a vertical, hollow, cylindrical member 42. The member 42 provides a mounting for'cne of a pair of center punches.

The punch guide 14 is similarly equippedv with a laterally extending stem 44' on. the

outer end of which is mounted a vertice-1,1101- low, cylindrical membery 45 in which another center punch 55 is mounted. The relative positions of the members 42 and 45 and' the center punches therein contained are best shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

A plurality of vertical teeth formed on the inner faces of the punch guides 13 and 14 provide racks 47 and 48, respectively. A rack 49 is similarly provided on one edge ofthe member 31. vWhen the members are assembled the rack 49 is positioned immediately underneath the rack 48 on the member 14. y

A vertical pivot member 56 extends upwardly through the cap plate 18. r1`he lower end of the pivot member 56 is provided with a cylindrical head 57 positioned in a countersunk hole 58 formed in the plate 16. The upper end of the pivot member 56 projects above the cap plate 18 to receive a wing nut 59. The pivot member 56 is positioned exactly on the longitudinal center line of the assembled'device. The center line of the device is caused to coincide with the longitudinal center line of the beam or plate being marked as ai preliminary to punching. The device is so constructed that when the bar 24 is placed with its inner face against one edge of the flange of the I beam 15 and the control member 31 shifted to bring the outer face of stem 27 into alignment with the other edge of theflange, the center line of the device and the center linefof the I beam will be in exact alignment.

An upper pinion 60 and a lower pinion 61 are independently rotatably mounted on the pivot member 56. The pinion 60 operatively engages the rack 47 which is formed on the punch guide 13 and the rack 48, which is formed on the punch guide 14. rlhe pinion loperatively engages both of the racks 49 and 50 which are located on the member 31 and arm 17?), respectively. By tightening the wing nut 59 the pinions 60 and 61 will be clamped together so as to prevent their rotation and all of the slidably movable members will be held ixedly in position.

' It is vobvious that the device can be centered on beams or platesof anyV suitable width without shifting the positions of the guide members 13 and 14 carrying the center punches 55, this being accomplished by merely shifting the control member 31 and the U shaped guide member 17 relative to each other. By'sliding the member 31to the left, as observed in Fig. 1, the pinion 61 will be rotated in clockwise direction and this will move the member 17 to the right by reason of theengagement of the pinion 61 with the rack 50 on the arm 17 b thereby bringing the bar 24 and-the stem 27 closer together. Movement of the control member 31 to the right will rotate the pinion 61 in counterclockwise direction and cause the member 17 to move to the left and thereby inline of thek device. Since the pinion 60 engages the racks 47 and 48 on they guides 13 and 14, respectively, the guides can be moved towards the center line by pushing on the one or the other, the pinion causing a simultaneous and equal movement of the twov guides and maintaining the equal spacing of the two punches 55 fromv the center line. Similarly the two guides 13 and 14 can Vbe manipulated to increase the spacing of the punches and maintain their equal and symfr metrical spacing relative to the center line of the device and of the beam 15. rlhe device having been set to center on the particular beam to be marked and the punches 55 having been set for the desired gauge or i spacing of the lines of rivets, the device is clamped by turning the thumb nut 59.

Should it be desired to vary the spacing or" the rows of rivets at any point in the beam, this is accomplished by loosening the nut 59 and manipulating the guides 13 and 14 to obtainthe desired spacing and then again clamping the nut 59.

The beam or plate can be marked'in rows,

unsymmetrically spaced relative to the center line of the device. This'is accomplished by releasing the'screws 21 holding the cap plate 18 and the base plate 16 together and shifting either of the punch guides 13 or 14. r1`his shifting is necessarily an amount equivalent to the pitch of oneor more teeth forming. the racks 47 and 48 on the particular guide 13 or 14 being shifted. The spacing of the teeth forming the racks 47 and 48 is preferably in fractions of an inch used in spacing of rivet l lines, such for example as 1/8, 1/4 inches, and

the like.

iol

' The lateral'edges of the cap plate 18 are v provided withl semi-circular recesses to clear the cylindrical members 42 and 45 and to permit the punch guides 13 and 14 to'be moved the maximum desired amount towards the center of the device. The outer edge of the punch guide 13 has a scale 63 formed on its upper face, the scale being so graduated and positioned as to indicate the distancesY from the center line that the center punches are for any and all' positions.` A rectangu? lar shaped recess 64 is formed in the cap plate 18 to permit theoperator to see the scale and read the gauge or spacing of the center punches at any instant. Operation of the device is further illustrated by assuming that the beam is a standard 15-inch, 42-pound, section and that 1t 1s desired to provide a row of holes on either side of the flange with a gauge of 51/2 inches or a distance of 23/5t inches of each row from the center line. This will be accomplished by setting the device with the longitudinal bar 24 in Contact with the edge of the beam flange and the punch guides 13 and 14 set so that the scale will show the desired spacing or gauge. ln this position of the device a pair of holes spaced inches apart can be marked by pittingin the upper surface of the beam flange. Two rows of such pits or indentations can be thus formed, such rows being 51/2 inches apart and symmetrically positioned about the center line of the beam. The spacing of the pits or indentations in the rows is controlled by the amount the device is advanced after each operation of pitting.

ln the event that it should be desired yto arrange .the rows of rivets unsymmetrically about the center line of the beam, as forexample, assuming itis desired to have the left handrow, as observed in Fig. 2, spaced three inches from the center of the beam and the right hand row spaced two and one-half inches from the center of the beam, this adjustment can be made by proper positioning of the guides 13 and 14 in the device, such adjustment requiring only that thecap plate 18 be removed. Upon setting the device for any desired gauge or spacing of rows, the device is locked by tightening the nut 59 andthe entire beam or any number of beams can be marked without further adjustment, if desired. The lines of rivets may also berrspaced unsymmetrically by spacing or placing the device with its center line onk either side of thecenter line of the flange of the beam being punched an amount equal to the desired eccentricity of spacing. The above mentioned spacings of three and two and onehalf inches can be obtained by merely actuating thecontrol member 3l to bring the center line of the device one-fourth of an inch away from the center line of the beam. The center punches 55, being five and one-half. inches apart, and each two and three-quarter inches from the center line ofthe device, the quarter of an inch eccentricity of the device relative to the beam will inereasethe distance of one punch from the center line of the beam by one-quarter of an inch and diminish thefothe spacing an equal amount.

An alternative form of the device is shownor ofa cover .plateor the like. :.The rowsof holes may be spaced symmetrically on either side of thecenter line as in the embodiment already described-g or may be adjusted for unsymmetrical spacing of the rows by shifting punch guides corresponding to the punch guides 13 and 14, such guides being hereinafter more particularly described and. enumerated. Y

The alternativedevice comprises a base plate 71 shown as positioned onastructuralsteel plate for the purpose of pitting or punching the latter. A cap plate 7 3 is rigidly fastened to the base plate 71 by countersunk screw bolts 76. Spacing blocks 74 and 75 hold the base plate 71 and the cap plate'73 in spaced apart relation. The bolts 76 eX- tend ydown through the spacing blocks 7 4 and 75 and serve to xedly fasten the plates to-V gether.

Punch guides 81 and 82 are mounted on one side of the device so as to be transversely movable therein. Corresponding punch guides 83 and 84 are similarly mountedon the other side of the device. A U-shaped guide member 72, having arms 72a and 72b, is mounted in slidingcontactwith the upper surface of the base plate 71 and the lower surfaces of a control member 91. A longitu dinal bar 77 is mountedon the under side of the guide member 7 2 andis fastened thereto by screw bolts 78. The bar 77 forms a straight edge serving to ykeep the device alignedV with the plate 70. The bar 77 is parallel to 4the center line of the device andvis exactly perpendicular to the transversely movable members. rlhe Yvarious transverse sliding members are provided with `a plurality of tongues and ,co-operating grooves similar to those shown for the device already described. The designating numerals for said tongues and grooves are omitted as unnecessary to an understanding of the operation of the device, since the'operation of the two devices is similar. f

A lug 93 is formed on the under face of the member 72and a lug 92 similarly projects from the under face ofthe control member 91. The lugs-92 and 93'cooperate with the i in the device and projects,upwardly'through the cap pla-te 73.. The member`99 has its upf per end threaded to receive a thumb nut 101.;

A cylindrical head 100 is formed on the lower end of the `member 99. Pinions 102, 103, and 104 are mounted, in the order named,\to rotate, independently #on the pivot member '99.

The inner faces of the 'control member 91 and of the arm 72a are provided with a plurality of teeth forming racks 97 'and98, respectively, with which the pinion 104 is operatively connected. The inner edges =of the punch guides 33 and 84 likewise form racks 96 and 4110, respectively, with which the pinions 102 and 103, respectively coeperate. .Racks `94 and 95,"respectively, are similarly formed on the inner edge of the punch guides 81 and 82. The pinions 102 and 103 similarly cooperate with the racks 94 and 95 to impart a sliding movement to the guides 81 and 82.

By manuallyl pushing the control member 91 to the left, the guide member 72 will be moved a similar amountto the right by the resultant rotation of the pinion 104 thereby bringing the bar 77 and the stem 92 closer together and enabling the device tobe centered on the work in the same way as for the Vembodiment already described. Movement of the member 91 to the right similarly ,spreads the stem 92 and the bar`77.

The punch guides, 81, 82,83, and 84 are provided with stems 85, 86, 87, and 88, respectively, upon which hollow cylindrical shaped members 89 are mounted. A center punch 90 is positioned in each of the members 89. The cap plate 7 3 is provided with apertures 105 on either side to permit the adjacent members 89 to move inwardly without interference.

It is obvious that the guides 81 and 88 are movable linwardly and outwardly together independentlyof the other transversely movable members; also that the guide members 82 and 84CV are movable together independently of the other transversely movable members, thereby enabling any desired spacingV lof rivet rows to be provided for in the same Vor different beams.

Graduated scales 108 and 109, respectively are 'formed on the upper surface of the punch guides 81 and 82. An aperture 106 is provided in the end of the cap plate 7 3 to enable the operator to read the scale on theY upper surface of the punch guide 81.

For symmetrical spacing of the rows to be pitted` and punched in the plate or in the Vflange of H beams or `the like, the device is assembled with the two outer cylindrical members 89 symmetrical about the center of Athe device and similarly the two inner members 89 equally spaced from the center line of f the device. The device is clamped in this position by tightening the thumb nut 101 and then the work of pitting the individual holes can proceed. The pitting is done by striking the individual punches 90 with a hammer or the like. The holes in the parallel rows can be aligned or staggered by striking all or any the device along the beam.

The device can be adjusted for any desired 73 and rearrangingthe position of the control member 72 Vrelative to, the punch guides 81,

82, 83, and 84, and of the punch guides to each other. vThe graduations of the scales on the punch guides 81 and 82 may bel arranged as to'V indicate the distances of the punches from the center line of the work or they may, if desired, be graduated to show the spacings' bvetween-the various lines of rivets. f

It will be seen that Ihave provided a dei vice operable for use infmarking structural steel to indicate theposition of rivet holes in rows, arranged symmetrically or unsymmetrically, as desired, about the center line of the work, without the 'useY of template plates or other devices wherein the spacing in the saine bea-ni. may be varied as desired or a large number of such beams may be similarly punched without change, such device being simple in constructionand manipulation and highly satisfactoryfor its intended use.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various immaterial modifications maybe made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction,

Yarrangement and combination of parts herein shown Vand described, orl uses mentioned.

alignment with the long'itudinal'axis vof an'I beam flangev or'the like on vwhich the'frame is positioned, and a pair of apertured members transversely movable in the frame, the aperv ture of each member providing amounting for a punch, the apertures being oppositely positioned relative to said,longitudinalcenter line of the frame.

2. In a devicev of the kind described, a frame, a pinion rotatablvmounted on the frame, means slidablymounted in theframe,

said means cooperating with the pinion to'locate the frame witliits'longitudinal axis-in alignment'with the longitudinal axis of an I beam` flange or the like on whichthe'frame is positioned, aV pair of apertured members' transversely movable in thelframe,the aperture of each member providing a mounting positioned relative' tosaid longitudinal center line of the frame',- and means operatively connecting said apertured members lwhereby positioned, and a pair of apertured members transversely movable inthe frame, the aperture 'of each `member providing a mounting iou 'for a-punch, the apertures 'being oppositely vmovement* of one of saidapertured members f in a given direction relative to the frame number of the punches for each advance of for a punch, ftheapertures being oppositely positioned relative tosaid longitudinal vcenter line of the frame, said apertured members Yeach having a'rack onY one face, a pinion operatively connecting said racks whereby move- .mentof one of said apertured members causes an equal andoppo'site movement of the other Aoit .said apertured members.

4. In ,a device of the kind described, a frame, ra pinion rotatably mounted on rthe frame, means slidably mounted in the frame, said. means cooperating with the pinion to locate the frame vwith its longitudinal axis in alignment with the longitudinal axis of an beam liangeor the like on which the frame is positioned, ;a pair of apertured members transversely movable in the frame, the aperture of each member providing a mounting for a punch, the apertures'being oppositely positioned relative to said longitudinal center line of the frame, means operatively connecting said lapertured members whereby movement of one of said apertured members in a given direction relativeto the frame causes a corresponding {opposite movement of the ,other or"-s aid apertured members, and means operable to clamp said movable members in fixed' relation to said frame.

' 5, 1n aV device of the kind described, a frame, va pinion rotatably mounted on the rame, means .s lvlidably mounted in the frame, said means cooperating with the'pinion to locate ftheframe -with its longitudinalaxis in alignment with the longitudinal -axis eta-n I beam flange or the like on whichthe frame is positioned, a pair `ofapertured members transversely movable in the frame, the aperture of eaCh member providing a mounting -i` or a punch, theV apertures being oppositely positioned -relative to said longitudinal cen- ,ter line of the frame, one of said apertured lmembers-being graduated to provide-a scale indicating the position .of said apertures rrelative to said longitudinal center line.

:6. In a device yof the kind described, a fname, afpinion rotatably-mounted on lthe I fname, means yslidably mounted in .the v trame, said means cooperating with the pinion to locate the `frame with its longitudinal axis in .alignment with the longitudinal axis `of an I beam tlange or the 'like aon which the Yframe Y is positioned, a pair of apertured members transversely movable in the-frame, the aperfor a punch, the apertures :being oppositely 'Operable to ,Clamp Said mevable members in fixed relation to said frame.

1n a rlevee ef. Athe kind described, e-

anar Ofi-members tteesaersely reev- -able the irame,--means operatively-e011- necting said `members whereby movement of one of said members 1n a given direction relative to the frame causes an equal movement of center line, a pair oi' apertured memberstransversely movable in the frame, the aperture of each member providing a mounting for a punch, the apertures being oppositely positioned relative to said longitudinal center line, means operatively connecting l,said

apertured members" whereby -movement of one of said apertured members in a given direction relative to the frame causes a corresponding opposite movement4 of the other of said apertured members, and means operable to clamp said movable members in fixed relation to said frame. v

8. In a device of the kind described, a frame, a pinion rotatably mounted on the frame,

means slidably mounted in the frame, said means cooperating with the pinion to locate the -rame with its longitudinal axis in alignment with the longitudinalaxis ol3 an Ibeam lflange or the like on which the frame is positioned, a plurality of pairs of apertured `members :transversely movable in said frame, the ,aperture of each member providing amounting for a punch, the apertures of each pair being oppositely positioned relative to said longitudinal Acenter line, each of said pairs of apertured'members having means operatively connecting the members comprising such pair whereby movement of one. of said-paired members in a given direction relative tothe V`frame causes a corresponding opposite movevment of the other of said paired members,

and means operable to clamp all of-said movable members in fixed relation to said frame. 9. In a device of the kind described, a

frame, a pair of members transversely movf able in the frame, -means operatively connectling said members whereby movement of one of said members yin a given direction relative tothe frame causes an equal movement'offthe other of said members in an opposite direction, each ,of said members having a vertically extending projection thereon, said projections being' positioned on opposite sides of thecenter line of the frame and eachhavin a face parallel to and equally distant from said center line, a plurality of pairs of aperf tured members transversel movable in said frame, the vaperture ofeac member providling a mounting for a punch, the apertures of each pair being oppositely positioned relative to said longitudinal -center line, each-of said pairs of apertured members having means operatively connecting ,the members comprising euch rer whereby 'revetement ,f eine r.O fnsald :rented members in a given fdireclao tion relative to the frame causes a corresponding opposite movement of. the other of said paired members, and means operable to clamp all of said movable members in fixed relation to said frame.

l0. In a device of the kind described, a frame, a pinion rotatably mounted on the frame, means slidably mounted in the frame, said means cooperating With the pinion to locate the frame with its longitudinal axis in alignment with the longitudinal axis of an I beam flange or the like on Which the frame is positioned, a plurality of pairs of apertured members transversely movable in said frame, the aperture of each member providing a mounting for a punch, the apertures of each pair being oppositely positioned relative to said longitudinal center line, each of said pairs of apertured members having means operatively connecting the members comprising such pair whereby movement of one of said paired members in a given direction relative to the frame causes a corresponding opposite movement of the other of said paired members, the adjacent members of each pair on one side of said center line being so graduated as to provide scales indicating the position of the apertures of one pair relative to the center line and relative to the apertures of the other pair of members, and means operable to clamp all of said movable members in` Xed relation to said frame. Y

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name April, A. D., 1929.

WALTER W. HEINZE. 

